GREAT NEWS from PDA! Action Guide for August! Good Issues Here!

[KoKo]

Legislative Action Guide for August 2006 Recess

Now is the time to organize local pressure on your Representatives and Senators while your representatives in Congress are home on recess.

During this recess period, PDA urges focusing on three issues:

1) Calling for an immediate cease-fire and multi-party negotiations for Israel & Lebanon -- reference H Con Res 450; http://pdamerica.org/articles/news/members-sign-res450.php

2) Calling for cutting all funds for the war in Iraq and for all troops to come home from Iraq -- reference HR 4232; http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/issues/bills/?bill=8363376

3) Calling for Congress to hold the Bush Administration accountable for the lies leading to the war in Iraq -- reference HR 635; http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/issues/bills/?bill=8339416

Resources

Legislation on Iraq: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3116

Legislation on Israel/Lebanon: http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/issues/bills/?bill=8953791

Legislation on Censure of the President: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/resourcecenter

Click here for tips on writing elected officials (can we link away to a different page with these links, so there aren't so many links) Congress: http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/issues/basics/?style=comm

Communicating with Elected Officials: http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/issues/basics/?style=comm

Understanding the legislative process: http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/issues/basics/?style=legis


Preparing for a Lobby Visit

Choose your team

Assemble a small group that represents the diversity of your community and is interested in and knowledgeable about your issue. A well-rounded representative group can demonstrate the breadth of support for your position. Be sure to keep the group small -- three to four members -- to have an effective visit.

Do your research

Review the legislator's voting record, committee assignments, and any views that have been publicly stated. Check your legislator's web site: http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/dbq/officials/

Visit PDA's legislative action page. http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/issues/bills/

Choose roles

Meet with your team members ahead of time to discuss your approach to the issue. Then designate someone to lead the discussion in your lobby meeting and another to take notes. Decide who will handle which points so you cover everything from the introductions to the political issues. Discuss which angles will be most effective with this member.

Hold the Meeting

Be on time to the meeting. Be positive, constructive, friendly, and brief. Relax.

Get Started

Introduce yourselves and mention where you live and a brief reason for your involvement in the issue. Also add if you are representing any organizations and how many members those groups have to show the reach of your small lobby team. Then express appreciation for anything (big or small) you can find in the public record. A "thank you" helps establish a cordial meeting.

Discuss the issue and listen

Clearly articulate the purpose of your visit. Be concise when you present your position. Ask the staffer/member questions about their position. Allow plenty of opportunity for listening to your legislator's views and concerns. Listen closely to what your legislator says -- there may be hints that will enable you to follow up with resources. And, even if your legislator is not won over to your position on this issue, she or he might be supportive on another issue.

Ask for a specific action

Discussing an issue is important, but the goal is action. Be ready with a concrete request. Some examples: "Representative, will you vote for this bill," "We would like you to co-sponsor this bill, can you commit to that now," "What additional information do you need," or "Who do you need to hear from on this issue?"

Promise to follow-up

Say when and how you will be in touch to follow-up your request. (Example: "I will call your staff next week to follow up.")

After the meeting, here are a couple of homework assignments

1) Debrief: As soon as possible after the meeting, ideally immediately, your lobby team should spend time debriefing. Take notes to help with future work with your legislator.

2) Follow-up with a thank you letter, recapping your key points and adding any additional information. Plan other ways to work with this office on your issue, such as generating letters and calls from other constituents.

3) Send PDA a report of your meeting. Be sure to send the report to your State Coordinator http://pdamerica.org/orgs/findstate.php and to our national field team at [e-mail].

4) Encourage letters to the Editor. Let other constituents know about your meeting. If your congressperson promised to do something, thank them publicly. If your congressperson still needs to be pushed, push them publicly. You can find help here http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/dbq/media/ .

Thank you for taking the time to be a part of PDA's growing movement to build the progressive wing of our Party. Working together we are making a difference!

[bobbolink]

1. Nothing on poverty?

People losing their Medicaid, and suffering.

People being cut off disabilty, with no where to go.

More and more homeless people.

No mention at all?

Why am I not at all surprised??

My vote simply isn't wanted.

Thanks, PDA.... you make me realize I'm just chopped liver.